Author: Katleen

See Dublin… from your IPhone..We have an App for that:)

Dear Reader,

So maybe you live in Dublin, and you you’d like to get to know it a bit better, or maybe you’d love to visit, but can’t quite make it yet. If you have an IPhone, you can now download an IPhone Application .

Image via Wikipedia

As per the website of Dublin Tourism:

Visit Dublin App. Explore, discover, experience and enjoy one of the most vibrant capitals in Europe from the comfort of your home, at 35,000 feet, or the bustle of Grafton Street!

What’s it all About?

The Visit Dublin App uses technology allowing you to use directional search to move around Dublin and discover your interests. Simply by pointing your Smartphone (iPhone/Android) you will find rich information about the places you see around you. This powerful pointing technology performs directionally filtered searches so that you get the information you are looking for quickly and easily. To find your way to an interesting spot, you can use the convenient Guide Me and/or Camera View augmented reality features.

At a cost of €2.99, the app, which can be downloaded from the internet, is part of a €10m digital investment strategy by Dublin Tourism.

The technology, which covers the greater Dublin area and operates within a 10km radius from where the user is located, is the brainchild of Irish mobile device firm Geoguides.

Katleen

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September 2, 2010
110 jobs to be created in Oranmore, Co. Galway – Tesco

Dear Reader,

It was announced a while back that Tesco’s is opening up a shop in Oranmore, Co.Galway, but it wasn’t clear to me where and when they are recruiting, untill I saw an article in the Galway Independent Today.

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In a nutshell:
Tesco Oranmore recruitment center number : 089-4367976 or tesco.oranmore@tesco.ie

This is in fact part of a lot more jobs within Tesco’s, all over Ireland.
You can read the full scope of the job creations here

Katleen

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September 1, 2010

Multilingual Contract role Mayo via www.icds.ie

Customer Service Representatives- Mayo

Location	Mayo
Salary	Negotiable
Ref. No.	AM11452
Duration	Contract
Division	Supply chain & Logistics
Description Customer Service Representatives- Mayo. These are contract postings of circa 9 to 10 months’ duration initially. In these roles you will be responsible for ensuring a high level of customer service through effective communication. Your role will involve interfacing with customers around the world, managing their orders from receipt through to delivery, monitoring their future demand, delivering high levels of engagement and managing all concerns to ensure development of effective corrective actions. Key Responsibilities: • Process sales orders and forecasts received from customers through the SAP system to initiate the manufacturing process and meet customer requirements. • Manage future demand through proactive liaison with customers and Market Divisions, involving analysis of historical sales, future forecasts, division rolling estimate and market performance. • Manage customer concerns / complaints ensuring effective communication on issues internally, trend analysis to facilitate in development of corrective actions, and follow up to ensure close out of issues, and effectively manage communication on progress with customers. • Follow up with customers on products and services to determine satisfaction and to gain information for improvement. • Liaise with Customers, Vendor Schedulers, Production Planners, Operations and Quality Assurance. • Apply operational excellence tools and techniques to continuously improve processes and eliminate waste. Skillsets sought: • Business proficiency in English (an additional European language an advantage with a preference for Italian, German, French, Slavic, Russian and Spanish).• Excellent PC skills and spreadsheet experience. • Strong analytical skills with SAP experience an advantage. Educational/Professional Experience: • Third level degree or diploma in a business related or equivalent discipline an advantage. • Excellent approach to customer care including excellent telephone and listening skills. • Business travel abroad may be required for the role. Interested? Or know someone who might be suitable? Contact : Anthony McLoughlin, Recruitment Director ICDS Recruitment Consultants “The Established Professionals” 24, Upper Fitzwilliam St., Dublin 2 Tel:01-6321200; Fax: 01-6762079 Email: anthony@icds.ie

September 1, 2010

New Linguistic orientated course at NUI Galway

Dear Reader,

Demand for people with foreign languages is high in Ireland, but to find the people with the right experience and the right language proficiency proves difficult for some recruiters, particularly if they are not the main(European) languages.

NUI Galway is offering a new Masters Programme, outlined below for native speakers of English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish .

This Masters Programme is designed to provide advanced linguistic and technical training in order to prepare linguists for careers in several areas of specialised language work in which there is a rapidly growing demand both in Ireland and abroad. It will offer graduates the possibility of developing their language skills to a very high level, deepening their understanding of the workings of language as an essential communication tool and gaining experience in the rapidly growing area of translation technology. It caters for students whose first language is English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish and who are competent in at least one of the others.

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Programme aims and objectives:

Advanced language skills (students will acquire a very high level of communication skills in their chosen language both oral and written.
Development of skills in advanced and specialised translation with an emphais on translation software andthe the latest technological developments in translation work.

Training in the skills of consecutive interpreting.

The development of skills in intercultural communiction: the aim of this module is to equip students with the transferable skills necessary to work successfully in an international environment.

Training in the production of professional and polished translated documents.

Training in the skills of subtitling.
To find a full course outline, please visit :

http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/advanced-language-skills.html

I was looking at http://www.fas.ie/ and http://www.translations.ie/ is recruiting for a wide variety of languages, such as Arabic, Pashtu,Burmese, Farsi,Tigrinya, Amharic,Dari,Bengali,Nepalese,Somali,Tamil, Kurdish, Malinka, Armenian, Hindi, Bajuni, Vietnamese.

Person required for ongoing assignments in Galway. The position requires simultaneous/consecutive interpreting duties and travel to various locations throughout the region will be necessary.
You must have your own transport and good travel allowances are paid.
Your ability to speak the languages concerned to a high standard is of crucial importance and you must have experience as an Interpreter.
Must be eligible to work in Ireland and the EEA. Necessary to hold 3rd Level Qualification in the language or English and have experience as an Interpreter.

If you feel this position is suitable for you, please e-mail your CV to richard@translation.ie or fax your CV to: 01 6520766

Hope it’s useful to someone!
Katleen

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August 31, 2010
Teaching drama to be broadcast on radio tomorrow

Teaching drama to be broadcast on radio next week – Galway Advertiser – August 26, 2010.

The trials and tribulations of finding a teaching job in today’s cut-throat market are to be aired in a brand new radio drama on Galway Bay FM tomorrow, August 31.
Galway Bay FM senior journalist Sorcha Crowley has written, produced and directed a once-off hour long drama entitled Due Process is Being Observed as part of a Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) funded Dramarama scheme.
The drama revolves around family relationships, friendship betrayals and political intrigue as young teacher Rebecca O’Brien applies for a job at a National School. It stars well-known local actors Máire Daly, Orla McGovern, Sinead Hackett, Ionia Ní Chroinín, Joan Gildea, Morgan Cooke and Brendan Murray and was recorded and edited by Sean Cooney at Ríl Media studios in Castlegar.
Dramarama is a joint initiative of BCI Sound & Vision and Learning Waves for radio broadcasters and independent production companies.
“I’m thrilled my radio play is being aired next week – given the current stiff competition for teaching jobs, I hope it’ll shed some light on how the struggle to find work can affect whole families. I’m trying to portray the whole ‘it’s not what you know it’s who you know’ culture which definitely still prevails within the teaching profession despite all the politically correct recruitment policies drawn up” says Ms Crowley.
“It’s an exciting new venture into radio drama for me and I’d like to thank the BAI and Keith Finnegan at Galway Bay FM for their support over the past year” she added.
“We’re delighted to be broadcasting another new radio drama on Galway Bay FM,” station CEO Keith Finnegan said. “We had huge success with Hairs and Races by Bernadette Prendergast and Declan Varley last year so it’s great to have another drama this year featuring local talent” he added. Due Process is Being Observed will be broadcast on Galway Bay FM tomorrow August 31 at 11am.

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August 30, 2010
Hidden gems in Kinvara, Co. Galway
Hello Reader,

I dropped off the kids at their last day of Gymnastics summer camp in Kinvara, organized by Burren Gymnastics, and as I had a few hours to spare, I had a walk around Kinvara.

Image via Wikipedia

We live quite near Kinvara, and had heard about the market there, but never actually ventured into it,so as I was there , I thought I’d pop in and see it for myself.
To check out the pictures I took, follow this link:

The market is held on a Friday, from 10 AM till 2 PM and is situated in the middle of Kinvara beside Johnston’s Youth Hostel.. I had seen some posts on their facebook page about the music that is played during the market, so I was a little curious to see it all happen in reality.
I took a little video of the musicians whilst they were playing some Irish music.

It was a really sunny day, and there were plenty of stand holders and plenty of atmosphere.
On my entry I was met by the Doolin Farm Direct , who rears and sells meat from his farm in .
They also do a box scheme.

There were gorgeous bagels made by a local company called The Galway Bakery.…. The odd time I would go to the Galway market at St-Nicholas, and then I always make a point to get a good supply of them, as we all love them! Unfortunately I forgot my purse, which meant I took more pictures and chatted to people rather than purchase many of the gooddies..

Another standholder that caught my eyes was.Antoinette from Wilde and Wooley with lovely knitted sweaters , gloves , scarves and much more. I particulary loved the gloves!
Antoinette also maintains the facebook page of the Kinvara Market, so why not join their facebook page.
Turns out there is an arts and craft trail in Clare, which brings you to the various crafters and artisits in the region. Another trip for another time..

Dirk Flakes organic produce are well known in the area, and the stall was busy with customers buying organic produce and other delicatesses.
Chris Murray, a local artist, had an impressive range of painted landscapes and little necklaces with gems.

Peter Goosens from Peregringo Co.Clare in Fanore has a range of Celtic boxes, lithographic prints and cottage produce. I once tasted his dandelion syrup and thought it was gorgeous on brown bread.

I had heard about the Friendly farmer, and was delighted to meet Ronan. I follow his blog
There were lovely strawberries from Rose Cottage from Laois , pickledgherkins, and I took a real liking to the brainfood by Julie Murphy from http://www.thebraingrainbar.com/, I had a little taste of the energy bars, and thought they were yummie and love the nutty aftertaste..

I did buy some eggs from Frank Cummins, who operates in Clarinbridge. If you live around the Clarinbridge area he has an honesty box at the front of his property.

I was really getting quite hungry, and would have loved a German Bratwurst , but helas, as I had forgotten my purse, I picked up the kids, went to beach just outside of Kinvara and then drove home, happy I had taken the day off!
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August 29, 2010
Join http://www.jobfit.ie – training programmes/improve your skills, find a job

Hello Reader,

Irish unemployment levels are around 13 %, comparing to just 5% in 2005.
You can the CSO check the CSO website here for a breakdown by year/month.

Below is the outline of a new governmental programme.
JobFit is a free 13-week programme of training for unemployed people to help them improve their skills and find a job.

JobFit, funded by the Labour Market Activation Fund of the Department of Education and Skills, is delivered by TBG Learning in partnership with National Learning Network – both Rehab Group companies. It’s a free 13-week full-time programme of training for unemployed people to help them find a job.

With over 25 years’ experience in helping people get back to work, TBG Learning understands the many barriers people come up against when looking for a job. It can be a real challenge knowing where to look, how to apply and how to make an application stand out. The JobFit programme offers free training that leads to nationally recognised qualifications, work placements with local employers and tailored support and guidance to aid people in looking and applying for jobs.

To find a location near you, click here.

Happy training!
Katleen

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August 26, 2010
Ireland’s love with tea… an overview of Irish Teas

Hello Reader,

I have been meaning to write about Irish tea to which I have taken a liking to over the years..

An interesting fact is that Irish people are the largest tea consumers in the World!

On a per head basis the most tea is drunk in the Irish Republic where annual consumption is 2.79 kgs/head. The UK drink a bit less at 2.12 kgs/head. ( quote taken from the Tetley website)

You either drink your tea black or white ( with or without sugar), and if you drink it white, it’s best to put the milk in first , then the sugar, and then add the tea! When you are working you would get Tea breaks, and that’s a time to relax, catch up on gossip and have tea or coffee. It’s very much part of Irish life.
I remember that shortly after my boys were born, I was offered Tea and Toast on a tray in the hospital .
Often when visiting people the first question will be ” what about a cup of tea”?
You might enjoy below clip!

There is , Barry’s Tea ( Cork) and Lyons Tea ( Dublin) and Bewleys Tea ( Dublin), there are also two Northern Irish Tea brands, namely Punjana and Nambarrie. There is also a company in Galway who specialises in wholeleaf Organic Teas.

There are many many other brands available in Ireland, such as:
Tetleys, PG Tips, Lipton, Typhoo, Pickwick or Twinings but none of them are Irish brands.
Amazon has a good selection of them, see below links to purchase!

I am getting thirsty now, so where is my cup of tea!

Katleen

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August 25, 2010
Camping in Ireland – Where to go Camping in Ireland

Image via Wikipedia

Ok, Granted, reading this title may seem some kind of a contradiction in terminus, as Ireland is known for many things like Guiness and U2, but camping/caravaning probably isn’t one of them, due to it getting its fair share of rain, but once you can get your head around the fact that there are plenty of rain less moments, there are great places to go camping and explore the region.

There is a little book I picked up ( cost is 5 Euros), which is issued by http://www.campingireland.ie/ and it has comprehensive listings of campsites around Ireland and Northern Ireland.

As Ireland is an Island, we are surrounded by water, which also means beaches – and I must admit, even after all these years, I am still discovering places I never knew existed.. Breathtaking horizons, beautiful landscapes, the list goes on. Kerry is probably best known for its beautiful nature/ beaches, but there are beaches everywhere along the coast, such as Waterford, Wexford, Cork, Antrim(Northern Ireland), to name just a few. If beaches isn’t your thing, there are also plenty of Mountains to climb 

I love the beach at Louisburg(Co. Mayo) http://www.mayo-ireland.ie/Mayo/Towns/LouisB/LouisB.htm, Inch Beach ( Co. Kerry) and of course Dog Beach in Galway. This website has a good collection of beaches in Ireland.

We recently visited Northern Ireland, and came across the white sandy beaches in Portrush and Benone on the East Antrim Coast.

Image via Wikipedia

To find out about campsites in Northern Ireland, this website might be of help : http://www.caravansitefinder.co.uk/parks/find/location/448-northern-ireland

One of my most favourite campsites called http://www.wavecrestcamping.com/ in Co. Kerry.

It’s clean, tidy, has hot showers, well organized, and has a well stocked shop for provisions and is in walkable distance from a small white sandy beach, and as it’s overlooking the Ocean there, my husband gets to go fishing ( and I get to relax at the beach, whilst the kids build sandcastles) They also organize boat trips in and around Derrynane :Derrynane Bay and the larger Kenmare Bay are within a Special Area of Conservation. Most notably Derrynane contains islands and marine habitats that are part of Natural Heritage Areas and are further divided into habitat specific zones. Each zone has within, species that are listed on Annex 1 of the E.U. habitats directive and are protected. Derrynane Bay Rib Trips brings to you this amazing part of South West Ireland. Step aboard, relax and explore the Derrynane marine habitat. In summer you will see Atlantic Gannets, Razorbills, Puffins and may encounter Bottlenose, Common Dolphins and whales including Minke and Fin. http://www.ribtrips.ie/

We went camping there about 7 years ago, before our kids were born. We decided that it was time to introduce our kids to the idea of camping( they are 4 and 6 now) and spend a beautiful Bank Holiday WE there and it was a success!

One word of advice… Bank Holidays are THE BUSIEST times on Irish campsites, and most campsites will not allow you to prebook, so to avoid disappointment, make sure you turn up early, or ring the campsite ahead if there is much point to start a possibly long journey.

Here is a picture of the view we had from our tent at wavecrest in Co. Kerry.

As I mentioned earlier, my husband did a bit of fishing, and succeeded in catching a few Pollock, which meant we had Fish for dinner, served with yummie Caherdaniel spuds( Potatoes) – I find food always tastes much better in the open air!

If the idea of a tent is not quite your cup of tea, you can also rent a caravan or rent a campervan.

A couple I have come across : http://www.vanderlust.com/ and http://www.iwmotorhomes.ie/

As we are fast approaching the end of our summer, its THE moment to buy yourself a tent/camping equipment, as many of the shops are selling of their tents and camping gear.

Check out http://www.millets.co.uk/home.html, www.greatoutdoors.ie www.argos.ie http://www.omearacamping.com/index.htm ( in no particular order)

I am already debating where we can go camping next!

Katleen

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August 10, 2010